There are three tiers of services in the Pharmaceutical contractual framework: nationally set essential and advanced services and enhanced services commissioned locally by Primary Care Trusts (PCTs). These are:

Essential services are defined as those services that must normally be provided by all community pharmacy contractors under the new arrangements. Such services together with advanced services form the 'nationally agreed' services and are not open to local negotiation.

Advanced services are those services that require accreditation of the pharmacist providing the service and/or specific requirements to be met in regard to premises.

Enhanced services are commissioned locally by PCTs. Local Pharmaceutical Services (LPS) will continue to be an option available to PCTs for delivery of local services.